Former city councilman Rhett Pierce charged with drug possession,…

Former Cape Girardeau City Councilman Rhett Pierce has been indicted by a federal grand jury on one count of drug possession with intent to distribute and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to charging documents, the grand jury alleges on the second count that Pierce was an “unlawful user of a controlled substance” and possessed two Smith & Wesson 9mm pistols. The second count said the firearms were “shipped and transported in interstate commerce.”

Records show the charges were filed on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

According to a motion for detention, Sayler Fleming, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, asked the court to order Pierce detained pending trial.

The document states that when Pierce was arrested Sept. 27 after allegedly admitting to using methamphetamine, he “repeatedly” asked how he could end this case and which judge or prosecutor could do it.